Unlocked iPhone users on T-Mobile can soon use LTE, Visual Voicemail

Ahead of T-Mobile's own iPhone launch, an update to support unlocked devices.

Those who unlocked their GSM iPhones and brought them over to T-Mobile before the carrier announced it would begin selling its own iPhones are receiving software updates today that make it possible for their devices to function on T-Mobile's LTE network. T-Mobile posted a notice to its support forums on Friday (hat tip to TmoNews) outlining the carrier update's purpose and benefits; the update will be available to devices over-the-air or via iTunes.

The main features gained by the update are HD Voice, the ability to use Visual Voicemail on T-Mobile's network, access to the high-speed LTE network where it's available, and access to the "4G" HSPA+ network. All of the above—save for Visual Voicemail—are only available to the T-Mobile or "officially unlocked" AT&T iPhone 5, though non-iPhone 5 users will also be able to receive Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts on their devices after applying the update.

This update was not a surprise, but it's still a pleasant turn of events for those subscribers who have been using their unlocked iPhones on T-Mobile's network for years. Those devices functioned in a limited capacity on T-Mobile, and users were unable to take full advantage of the iPhone's features. With the latest carrier update, however, T-Mobile is finally giving those users full support in preparation for its own iPhone rollout scheduled for April 12.

Question...does one have to jail-break ones iPhone to move from AT&T to T-Mobile? Or is it just a SIM card swap and software update?

I literally did this earlier this week with my 4S. You do not have to jailbreak to move from AT&T to T-Mobile.

1.) You must have an unlocked iPhone. This can be unlocked by AT&T, or if they are unwilling, you can purchase an unlock. I went the latter route. This isn't a software unlock, it's an actual factory unlock provided by Apple for a fee (Apple doesn't care that AT&T still wants the phone locked: so long as you're using an iPhone, they're happy). I went through a local iPhone repair boutique to complete this.

Is there anything formal about Facetime over T-Mo's network? Is it available, is it blocked, do they charge more for it - basically are they AT&T about Facetime over the cellular data network? I keep hearing that it's -probably- free and clear, with no restrictions beyond your own data limit, but haven't found anything solid.

The main features gained by the update are HD Voice, the ability to use Visual Voicemail on T-Mobile's network, access to the high-speed LTE network where it's available, and access to the "4G" HSPA+ network. All of the above—save for Visual Voicemail—are only available to the T-Mobile or "officially unlocked" AT&T iPhone 5, though non-iPhone 5 users will also be able to receive Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts on their devices after applying the update.

Wait. I thought unlocked AT&T iPhone 5's didn't get HSPA+ on AWS or HD voice. Basically, For the AT&T iPhone 5 the update provides LTE on AWS spectrum and visual voicemail. Am I wrong? The above quote makes it sound like an AT&T iPhone 5 has parity with the T-Mobile version.

For those asking about unlocks on AT&T - If you'd like to get a real factory unlock, for awhile anyway, AT&T was accepting (automated) unlocking. It takes a few days to get an answer back, and if it's affirmative you'll need to restore your iphone - afterwards you'll get confirmation that looks like this: http://www.cellunlocker.net/blog/wp-con ... unlock.pngOnce that is done, that phone is forever unlocked - the unlocks are regulated through Apple servers and once unlocked, I don't believe there is a way to relock them. Here's the site to request an unlock: https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client ... dCondition

Here's a thread that outlines the successes and non-successes various folk on the forum have had using this technique. It worked for me - and considerably less than 2 years into my contract. Here's the thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1181886&hilit=unlock

Question...does one have to jail-break ones iPhone to move from AT&T to T-Mobile? Or is it just a SIM card swap and software update?

I literally did this earlier this week with my 4S. You do not have to jailbreak to move from AT&T to T-Mobile.

1.) You must have an unlocked iPhone. This can be unlocked by AT&T, or if they are unwilling, you can purchase an unlock. I went the latter route. This isn't a software unlock, it's an actual factory unlock provided by Apple for a fee (Apple doesn't care that AT&T still wants the phone locked: so long as you're using an iPhone, they're happy). I went through a local iPhone repair boutique to complete this.

2.) Once your phone is unlocked, swap SIMs and you're done.

They will not be unwilling. When you have concluded your contract or pay the ETF, it is at&t's policy to give you the unlock code. Once unlocked you should be good to go.

Question...does one have to jail-break ones iPhone to move from AT&T to T-Mobile? Or is it just a SIM card swap and software update?

I literally did this earlier this week with my 4S. You do not have to jailbreak to move from AT&T to T-Mobile.

1.) You must have an unlocked iPhone. This can be unlocked by AT&T, or if they are unwilling, you can purchase an unlock. I went the latter route. This isn't a software unlock, it's an actual factory unlock provided by Apple for a fee (Apple doesn't care that AT&T still wants the phone locked: so long as you're using an iPhone, they're happy). I went through a local iPhone repair boutique to complete this.

The main features gained by the update are HD Voice, the ability to use Visual Voicemail on T-Mobile's network, access to the high-speed LTE network where it's available, and access to the "4G" HSPA+ network. All of the above—save for Visual Voicemail—are only available to the T-Mobile or "officially unlocked" AT&T iPhone 5, though non-iPhone 5 users will also be able to receive Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts on their devices after applying the update.

Wait. I thought unlocked AT&T iPhone 5's didn't get HSPA+ on AWS or HD voice. Basically, For the AT&T iPhone 5 the update provides LTE on AWS spectrum and visual voicemail. Am I wrong? The above quote makes it sound like an AT&T iPhone 5 has parity with the T-Mobile version.

The 2012 model AT&T iPhone 5 does not have AWS spectrum compatibility, and will not be able to use HSPA+ on T-Mobile.

The 2013 model AT&T iPhone 5 will have AWS spectrum compatibility, and this update contains the necessary apns to make that connection.

The "3G" you see is because your phone manages to find a pocket of refarmed spectrum; this will give you up to 7.2Mbps generally, as it is still partially shared with the older 2G/EDGE service. That has been possible for the better part of a year now, though it is becoming more prevalent.

If/when you update your phone, you will not get more "3G" than before, as you most likely don't have the 2013 model with AWS compatibility for HSPA+. If T-Mobile has LTE in your area, you will be able to use their LTE service.

Question...does one have to jail-break ones iPhone to move from AT&T to T-Mobile? Or is it just a SIM card swap and software update?

I literally did this earlier this week with my 4S. You do not have to jailbreak to move from AT&T to T-Mobile.

1.) You must have an unlocked iPhone. This can be unlocked by AT&T, or if they are unwilling, you can purchase an unlock. I went the latter route. This isn't a software unlock, it's an actual factory unlock provided by Apple for a fee (Apple doesn't care that AT&T still wants the phone locked: so long as you're using an iPhone, they're happy). I went through a local iPhone repair boutique to complete this.

2.) Once your phone is unlocked, swap SIMs and you're done.

They will not be unwilling. When you have concluded your contract or pay the ETF, it is at&t's policy to give you the unlock code. Once unlocked you should be good to go.

My experience was that AT&T would not unlock the phone even after payment of the ETF. YMMV.

I'm just relating what was explained to me. For all I know, Jacqui ends up with the fee. Nevertheless, AT&T refused to unlock my phone, I paid $30 and now it is on T-Mobile. I debated just upgrading to the 5, or switching to another platform, but decided that I'm perfectly content with this phone for the time being and $30 was a quick out.

I also considered jailbreaking in order to complete a software unlock, but with this method I can update the software without worry.

edit: Not to be misunderstood - the point re: the fee was that I'm not particularly concerned with the revenue split so long as the phone functions.

My experience was that AT&T would not unlock the phone even after payment of the ETF. YMMV.

Your experience is outdated. AT&T has publicly stated they will unlock any subsidized device once the terms of the contract have been fulfilled. This came about a few weeks ago in response to members of Congress looking at legislating that after all the outrage over The Library of Congress letting the exception to the DMCA that allowed this to expire.

My brother shipped me his iPhone4 when he bought the 5 when it came out last year. I called AT&T, told them I wanted the phone unlocked since it was out-of-contract (it was a 4 so it was well out) gave them his name and the cell # and it was unlocked in 15 minutes after connecting it back to iTunes.

So, can anyone clear this up for me? I had heard a while back that T-Mobile was in the process of switching/adding their 3G freguencies to be compatible with the iPhone. Now I hear that in several markets, in addition to LTE, iPhone users will be able to use their 3G frequencies.

As an owner of an unlocked 4S, will I be able to get HSPA+ on T-Mobile if I switch (assuming I'm in one of those markets)? Or is this just restricted to some new version of the iPhone which can handle T-Mobile's old 3G frequencies, as some are saying in this thread?

For what it's worth, I just received the settings update, and I now have 4G and visual voicemail.

I have it now as well - though I had to sync with iTunes last night to get it. So far its an improvement - not because I thought 3G was particularly slow, but now I'm getting 4G in areas and buildings I could only get E previously.